Windham lawmaker explains circumstances of arrest

WINDHAM - State Rep. Charles McMahon said Thursday morning that his arrest earlier this week stemmed from a "delicate family situation" that resulted in a call to 911.

McMahon said one of his sons, Shane, 23, suffers from Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, or ADHD, and became argumentative Tuesday night.

'It's a challenge we've been dealing with as long as I can remember,' McMahon said. The argument 'was nothing physical, but he felt that he had to call 911.'

McMahon said he and his wife tried to calm Shane down and that there was no emergency that warranted a 911 call. When police and firefighters arrived, 'they found no emergency.'

He said Shane told police that McMahon told him not to call 911. He said police told him that trying to prevent someone from calling 911 is a violation and he was arrested on a charge of obstructing the report of a crime. He said he is due in court Dec. 17.

McMahon, a Republican who represents District 4 in Rockingham County and who was reelected in November, said he regrets, but accepts, that a private matter has become public because of his position. This was the first time he's been arrested, he said.

'This ADHD is difficult to deal with and sadly it went public,' he said. 'But I believe in transparency and I want people to know that this was what (happened).'

McMahon said his eldest son, Charlie, suffers from severe cerebral palsy. He said he ran for public office because he wanted to help families like his 'make their lives be the best they can be.

'We have a very delicate family issue that we've been dealing with for many years,' he said. 'We're going to continue to do the best we can. We just don't make excuses and (we) keep working at it. I'm not going to give up on him.'